Apparatus for employing fluid jets to remove material from articles



SePL'G, 1966 R. E. MoELLr-:R ETAI. 3,270,754

APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYING FLUID JETS 'l'O REMOVE V MATERIAL FROM ARTICLESFiled Sept. 22, v1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l om @E N m m @n T mmm NL Pv. ELG.v T NMTS I mE @wm RRF A TTORNEY-S'.

Sept. 6, 1966 R. E. MOELLER ETAL 3,270,754

APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYING FLUD JETS TO REMOVE MATERIAL FROM ARTICLES FiledSept. 22, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet P,

FIG 4 INVENTORS. R. E. MOELLER ROBERT G. LOVE BY FORREST C. PITTMAN ,5mg,0mg /Ma; 93M@ f )MAA- .11 TTOR N E YS.

3,270,754 APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYING FLUID JETS TO REMOVE Filed Sept. 22,1964 Y R. E. MOELLER ETAL Sept. '6. 1966 MATERIAL FROM ARTICLES 4Sheets-Sheet i',

FIG. 6

INVENTOR I R. E. MOELLER ROBERT G. LOVE FORREST C. PITTMANA SII/544Mo,mz,

A TTOR NE XZ Sept. 6; 1966 R. E. MoELLl-:R ETAL 3,270,754

l APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYING FLUID JETS TO REMOVE MATERIAL FROM ARTICLESFiledsepnzz, 1964 4 s11eets-sheet 4.

NVENTORS. R. E. MOELLER ROBERT G. LOVE BY FORREST C. PITTMAN ZM, mf/ mm3uw IAM.;

A 7 TOR NEKX United States Patent O 3,270,754 APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYINGFLUID .IETS TO REMOVE MATERIAL FROM ARTICLES R. E. Moeller, Robert G.Love, and Forrest C. Pittman,

Duncan, Okla., assignors to Halliburton Company,

Duncan, Okla., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 22, 1964, Ser. No.398,267 11 Claims. (Cl. 134-110) This invention relates to methods and.apparatus for removing material from the interior of open endedparticles. In particular it relates t-o the removal of explosives suchas solid propellants from lthe interior of generally cylindricalhousings such as rocket motor cases.

It is well known that explosives which have been stored for certainperiods of time may become func- `tionally unreliable. |For `thisreason, it is often necessary to dispose of explosives which have beenin storage in excess of an allowable time` period. However, inaccomplishing this disposal, it may be desirable to salvage the housingscontaining such overage explosives for future reuse.

It has long been recognized Ithat jets of high pressure fluids may beemployed to remove overage explosives from cylindrical housings.However, techniques, heretofore employed have been characterized bysubstantial disadvantages.

In general, devices employed .to remove overage explosives from theirhousings have been characterized by such structural complexity as to notbe readily movable from site -to site. dn addition, many devices havebeen incapable of effectively and safely handling large explosive unitssuch as modern propellant motor cases. Many devices which have utilizedhigh pressure jets to remove explosives have not been able tosuccessfully handle fluid pressures of .a very high magnitude.

A large number of explosive removal devices previously developed havepresented problems from the .standpoint of removing cuttings, i.e.jetted away explosive segments, from the jetting site so .as to avoidinterference with the explosive removal operation.

Other difficulties have been encountered in maintaining a substantiallyuniform material removal rate and in forming -cuttings of a generallyuniform size.

In recognition of the need for an improved fluid jetting type ofmaterial removing apparatus and technique, it is an object of ythepresent invention to provide apparatus for removing material from theinterior of articles which substantially -obviate disadvantages such asthose heretofore described.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide such improvedapparatus which can successfully handle high-pressure, material removing-jets over sustained periods of time.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such improvedapparatus which may be used in yremoving relatively large volumes ofexplosives materials, such as propellants, from rocket motor cases andto tend to form cuttings of a substantially similar size.

It is likewise .an object of the invention to provide an improved =jetmaterial removing .technique by means of which relatively large segmentshaped cuttings may be formed.

It is likewise .an object of the invention to provide an improved.apparatus which is portable and which is capable of accommodating avariety of article shapes, sizes 'and configurations.

An additional object of the invention is to provide improved apparatusincluding a continuously operable and effective system for collectingand recovering cuttings.

A still further object of the invention is to provide suc-h improvedapparatus wherein the cuttings do not adversely ICC interfere withsubsequent jetting or material removing operations.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such improved apparatuswhich provide for selectively variable and independently controllablerelative rotation and axial movement between an article and .a jetforming mechanism.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such improved apparatusby means of which fluid spray generated during the material removingoperation is effectively contained.

It is likewise an object of the invention t-o provide such improvedapparatus wherein the material cutting jets may be selectively Adirectedas required so as to remove material from 4article niches or partiallyshielded areas of the article interior.

A portable apparatus herein presented for accomplishing .the foregoingobjectives includes skid means and tower means. Pivot mean-s connect thetower means with vthe skid means whereby the tower means may be pivotedtoward the skid means for storage for transporting purposes. Towersecuring means are provided to lreleasably secure the tower means in ya-generally upright -or operable position. Holding means are included inthe apparatus for supporting an article with an open end facinggenerally downwardly. Elevating means are carried by the tower means forraising and lowering the holding means along a generally vertical andstationary axis. Drive means are included for rotating the holding means4about a generally vert-ical axis. Fluid discharging means are provided.The fluid discharging means is adapted to remain stationary whileentering the open end of an `article which is being lowered and todirect fluid jets against -material to be removed from ythe articleinterior.

Additionally, .significant but somewhat more limited aspects of thisinvention pertain .to particular structural characteristics of theholding means, elevating means, and drive means as well as .the iluiddischarging means of the apparatus. Of additional significance are thestructural details of removed material, i.e. cuttings, receiving meanswhich a-re incorporated in rthe apparatus.

In describing the invention reference will be made t-o a preferredapparatus embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

-In the drawings: i

FIGURE 1 is a schematic, side elevational view of the overall apparatuswith -the tower means erected and illustrating .the initial loading of arocket motor case from which propellant material is to be removed;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic, .side elevational view of the FIGURE 1apparatus showing .the loaded case in its elevated position and acomposite, fluid discharging and cylindrical housing assembly moved intoaxial alignment with and beneath the elevated case;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic, side elevational View of the FIGURE l apparatusillustrating the lowering of the case over the jet forming, fluiddischarging means and into the spray shielding housing of the apparatusto initiate the propellant material removing operation;

FIGURE 3a is a schematic, fragmentary, end elevational view of theFIGURE 1 apparatus as viewed along section line 3ft-3a of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 4 is -a schematic, enlarged, side elevational view of the FIGUREl apparatus illustrating structural details not shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is still further enlarged, fragmentary, partially sectioned,and elevational view of article holding, elevating, and rotatingcomponents of the FIGURE 1 apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the FIGURE 5 assembly a-s viewed alongthe section line 6 6;

FIGURE 7 is a partially sectional, enlarged, and frag- 3 mentary view ofthe apparatus as viewed along the section line '7-7 of FIGURE 4 andillustrating structural details of the fluid discharging means of theapparatus;

FIGURE 8 is still further enlarged, fragmentary, sectioned, andelevational View of the upper end of the fluid discharging means shownin FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, schematic, fragmentary and partially sectionedplan view of a filter mechanism associated with the FIGURE 4 apparatusand utilized t0 receive cuttings removed during the jetting operation;and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged, schematic view illustrating channels which maybe formed in material being removed from an article interior so as toform generally similarly sized and configured, wedge shaped cuttings orsegments of propellant material.

FIGURES 1 through 9 illustrate, in varying detail, structural details ofa preferred portable apparatus which may be utilized in the field forremoving propellant material from the interior of rocket motor cases.

Principal apparatus components Principal components of this portableapparatus include skid means 1 and tower means 2. Conventional pivotmeans 3 connect the 'tower means 2 with the skid means 1 whereby thetower means 2 may be pivoted toward the skid means lfor storage andtransporting purposes. Tower securing, bracing means 4 a-re provided toreleasably secure the tower means 2 in a generally upright or verticalposition as shown in FIGURE 1.

1 A holding means 5 is provided for supporting rocket motor 6. Anelevating means 7, carried by tower means 2, is provided for raising andlowering the holding means 5 along a generally vertical and stationaryaxis. A drive means 8 is provided for rotating the holding means 5 abouta generally vertical axis. A fluid discharging means 9 is adapted toremain stationary 'while entering the open lower end of a motor 6 whichis being lowered on the holding means 5 and to direct fluid jets againstpropellant material to be removed from the article.

The apparatus further includes removed propellant material receivingmeans 10 for collecting the propellant cuttings which are removed fromthe motor 6 by jets discharging from the uid discharging means 9.

Structural details of major components As shown in FIGURES 1 through 4,skid means 1 may comprise a pair of elongate and generally parallel,bevel ended, channel members 101 and 102. Channel members 101 and 102may Ibe rigidly interconnected by transverse bracing means such as theschematically shown framing components 103 and 104.

Skid means 1 may be provided with a bracket 105 for supporting 4thetower means 2 in an inclined position as hereinafter described. Bracket105 may comprise a pair of channel members each of which defines anupwardly inclined extension of a skid channel member- One such channelmember 106 extends upwardly from, and is rigidly connected with, theskid channel 101. The upper ends of the two inclined, bracket channelmembers projecting from the skid channel members 101 and 102 may berigidly interconnected by a transverse framing member 107.` One or moreframing members 108 are rigidlyv connected to transverse framing member107 and project generally vertically upwardly and support a tower cradlemeans 109 as schematically shown.

rTower means 2 comprises a pair of laterally spaced, but parallelchannel members 201 and 202 which are rigidly interconnected bytransverse framing members such .as the schematically shown framingmembers 203, 204 vand 205. Transverse tower member 204 is so positionedas to be receivable in nested relationship upon the cradle means 109when the tower means 2 is pivoted counterclockwise as shown in FIGURE 1toward the skid means 1 for storage or transporting purposes.

. Pivot means 3 includes a pair of apertured, link-like members 301 and302 which are rigidly connected to,

and project from, the lower ends of the tower channel members 201 and202. T-wo link receiving pivot mounts 303 and 304 are rigidly mounted onskid means 1 by conventional framing not shown. Tower channel member 202is pivotally connected to pivot mount 304 by a conventional rod likepivot shaft 30S which extends transversely through the assembly 304 andintersects an apertured portion of link 302. Similarly, a conventionalrod like pivot shaft 306 transversely intersects pivot mount 303 and anapertured portion of link 301 so as to pivotally secure the towerchannel member 201 to the pivot mount 303.

Pivotable movement of tower means 2 about pivot means 3 may beconveniently accomplished by a conventional, hydraulic tower erectingmechanism. This hydraulic tower lifting mechanism, which may be viewedas a component of tower means 2, includes a pair of identical piston andcylinder assemblies. One such assembly, as shown in FIGURE 4, includes acylinder 206 housing piston means including a piston rod 207 whichprojects therefrom. Cylinder 206 is connected by a conventional pivotmount 208 to a framing assembly 209, which assembly extends transverselybetween channel members 101 and 102. Piston rod 207, at its outer end,is connected by a conventional pivot connection 210 to transverse, towerframing member 205.

Pressurized hydraulic fluid may be supplied to the cylinders 206 in aconventional fashion so as to cause the selective extension orretraction of the piston rods 207, in unison, so as to cause the raisingor lowering, respectively, of the tower means 2.

When the tower means 2 is disposed in its generally upright orvertically extending position as shown in FIG- URES 1 through 4, it isdesirable to provide means for releasably securing the tower means 2 inthis operational position.

The tower securing means 4 may comprise a plurality 0f strut-likemembers extending between the skid means 1 and the tower means 2. Thus,skid means 1 may be provided with a pair of transversely apertured,strut mounts 401 and 402 which are rigidly connected to transverseframing member 103, A pair of struts 403 and 404 may be pivotallyconnected to mount 401 by a conventional pivot pin 405. A conventionalthreaded fastener 406 may detachably 4secure lthe upper end of strut 403to a transversely apertured mounting ear 407 which is rigidly attachedto transverse, tower means framing member 203. Similarly, a conventionalthreaded fastener 408 may `detachably secure the upper end of strut 404to a transversely apertured ear 409 which is rigidly connected totransverse, tower means framing member 204.

Another pair of struts 410 and 411 extend respectively from tower meansframing members 203 to 204 to pivot mount 402. Conventional threadedfasteners 412 and 413 detachably secure the upper ends of struts 410 and411 to mounting ears 414 and 415 which are secured, respectively, toframing members 203 and 204.

As will be apparent, by removing the threaded fasteners 412 and 413, 406and 408, the struts 410, 411, 402, and 403 may be detached from thetower means 2 so as to enable the tower means to be folded toward theskid means 1 and cradled upon the tower cradle means 109. With the towermeans thus folded toward the skid means 1, the struts 402, 403, 410 and411 may be pivoted about the pivot mounts 401 and 402, in a generallyclockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 4, so as to rest upon componentsof the skid means 2.

Clamping means 5 is'adapted to embracingly engage and clamp thecylindrical periphery of the rocket motor 6.

Clamping means 5 includes a top plate 501 having a. generallyfrustoconical, upwardly projecting center por-- tion 502. Plate 501 maybe of a generally circular con-- figuration in plan view. A lower plate503 of lesser diameter than top plate 501 may be connected to the lowernot shown, such as' threaded'fasteners.

An arcuate support plate 504 may be attached on one end to lower plate503 by conventional fastening means such as welding so as to projectaxially downwardly away from the top plate 501. Support plate 504preferably has a circumferential extent of less than 180.

Support means 5 further includes a first, generally semicylindricalclamping plate 505 and a second, generally semi-cylindrical clampingplate 506. Clamping plate 505 is provided with a resilient lining 507which may be fabricated, for example, from sponge rubber while clampingplate 506 is provided with a similar resilient lining 508. Hinge means509, having a generally vertical hinge axis, hingedly interconnectclamping plates 505 and 506.

'Clamping plate 505 may be provided with a plurality of radiallyoutwardly projecting webs by means of which it is detachably connectedto radially inwardly projecting webs carried by the support plate 504.One such web connecting arrangement is shown in FIGURE 6. As thereshown, a vertically extending web 510 formed on support plate 504contiguously overlaps a web 511 carried on clamp plate 505. Conventionalthreaded fasteners 512 serve to detachably connect the webs 511 and 510so as to detachably secure the hingedly interconnected clamping plates505 and 506 to the support plate 504. Through this detachable clampmounting arrangement, hingedly interconnecting clamping plates may bereplaced as required in accordance with the dimensions and shapes ofindividual rocket cases to be handled by the apparatus.

A pair of schematically shown, conventional, overcenter latches 513 and514 may be employed to interconnect the free edges of the clampingplates 505 and S06. As will be appreciated, such latching mechanismswill tend to draw with the free edges 50551 and 506a of the clampingplates 505 and 506 together while the clamps are being secured.

The clamping plates 505 and 506 may be tailored such that they may beclosed about the periphery of a particular size of rocket motor case insubstantially embracing engagement. When the overcenter latches 513 and514 are closed, the plates 505 and 506 are tightly constricted about thecylindrical periphery of the rocket motor 6, with the liners 507 and 508being compressed between the plates 505 and 506 and the rocket caseperiphery. In this fashion, the clamping means 5 is effectively clampedabout the rocket motor 6 and capable of supporting the weight of therocket motor while the holding means 5 is elevated. As will be apparent,the rocket motor case 6 will be secured by the holding means 5 with itsopen end facing generally downwardly.

A typical rocket motor case 6 to be handled by the apparatus will have acylindrical side wall 601 and an open end 602. The upper end 603 of therocket motor case will either be closed or have an aperture which willbe closed -by a conventional threaded plug during the propellantremoving operation. Ordinarily, the propellant charge 604 containedwithin the interior of the rocket motor case will be annular inconfiguration, i.e. will have a central passage 605 extending axiallythrough the motor case. Rocket case reinforcing rings, such as theschematically shown ring 606, may project into the propellant charge.

Elevating means 7 includes a vertically movable frame 701 which ismounted for reciprocation on the rail defining, channel members 201 and202 of the tower means 2. Frame means 701 may include mirror yimageconfigured side wall portions 702 and 703 which are interconnected by anarcuate leading edge portion 704. Frame means 701 may further include atop plate 705 having an aperture 706 as shown in FIGURE 5.

Bearing or slide-like abutments 707 are rigidly carried on frame meansside plates 701 and 703. As schematically shown in FIGURES 1 through 4,these slide-like abutments 707 project inwardly from the slide plates ofslide means 701 so as to be disposed on opposite sides of each of thetower channel members 201 and 202 and slid- 6 ably engage these towercomponents. In this fashion, the frame means 701 is slidably mounted onthe rail-defining tower channel members 201 and 202 and stabilized onthese tower components so as to be able to project generally outwardlyin a cantilever fashion.

Conventional and schematically shown hoisting means are provided onframe means 701. This hoisting means may include a pneumaticallyoperated winch 708 which is supported upon a generally U-shaped bracket709 as shown in FIGURE 5. A flexible hoisting chain 710 extends fromhoist 708 to a swivel joint 711 having a vertical axis of swivelmovement. A conventional hook 712 may be employed to detachably connectthe swivel joint 711 with an eye 515 which projects upwardly from, andis threadably connected to, the plate projection 502. An open top,semi-cylindrical container 713 may be provided to contain and receivethe free end of the hoisting chain 710.

As illustrated, the chain 710, swivel joint 711, and hook 712 aredisposed so as to be movable vertically through the aperture 706 of theframe means 701.

As will be understood, the pneumatically operated winch 708 may beemployed to maintain a continuous upward biasing force on the holdingmeans 5 or may include a conventional, self-actuating, braking mechanismso as to positively secure the holding means 5 at any desired positionof elevation.

Vertical raising and lowering of the frame means 701 on tower means 2may be accomplished by a conventional lhydraulic piston and cylinderarrangement. This arrangement may include a cylinder 211 which ismounted upon a bracket 212 extending between links 301 and 302 as shownin FIGURE 3a. Cylinder 211 houses piston means including a piston rod213 which projects upwardly to engage a bracket 214 on tower means 701.By means of conventional iiuid coupling arrangements and a conventionalsource of pressurized hydraulic fluid and conventional flow controlmeans, not shown, the frame means 701 may be selectively elevated orlowered along the tower means 2 as desired.

Structural details of drive means 8 which is employed to rotate holdingmean-s 5 about a generally vertical axis are shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

Drive means 8 includes a clutch-like, drive plate 801 having a cent-ralaperture 802. Aperture 802 has a diameter conforming generally to thediameter of the base of projection 502 of top plate 501. As illustrated,aperture 802 may be sloped upwardly so as to conform generally to theconical configuration of the base portion of the projection 502.

An annular ring gear 803 is connected to drive plate 801 by conventionalfastening means such as the schematically shown, threaded fasteners 804.A mounting ring 805 is connected to plate 705 yof frame means 701 byconventional fastening means such as the schematically shown, threadedfasteners 806. Mounting r-ing 805 and ring gear 803 are interconnectedby bearing means such as the schematically shown, ball bearings 807. Inthis fashion, ring gear S03 is mounted on frame means 701 for roationabout a generally vertical axis when the tower means 2 is upright.

A pinion-type drive gear 808, having a vertical axis of rotation whenthe tower means 2 is erected, is mounted upon a shaft 809 extending froma conventional, pressurized fluid operated motor 810. Motor 810, asschematically shown, is mounted upon frame means plate 705. Drive gear808 is supported on shaft 809 so as to be in meshing and drivingengagement with the interior, toothed portion of ring gear 803.

`Clamping means are incorporated in drive means 8 to releasably securethe drive plate 801 to the top plate 501 of the holding means 5 in agenerally clutch-like fashion. The clamping means are carried by andmovable with the drive plate 801 and comprise a plurality of pivotedclamps 811. As shown in FIGURE 6, the preferred embodiment includesthree symmetrically disposed clamps 811. Each such clamp 811 ispivotally supported on a conventional pivot mount 812. A pivot shaft 813of each such mount has a pivot axis extending generally perpendicular toa radius extending rfrom the axis of rotation of the drive pla-te 801.

Each clamp 811 has a generally C-shaped portion 814 which projectsgenerally outwardly from the drive plate 801 and an operating leverportion 815 which projects generally toward the axis of rotation of thedrive plate 801. As illustrated, the C-shaped clamp portion 814 isadapted to curve around the edges of the abutting drive plate 801 andtop plate 501 so as to engage the underside of the top plate 501 andclutchingly press it against the under-side of drive plate 801. Aconventional compression-type coil spring 816 is mounted on the top ofdrive plate 801in association with each clamp 811. Each spring 816engages the underside of a clamp lever portion 815 so as to bias thelC-shaped clamp portion 814 into the position shown in FIGURE where itholds the top plate 501 against the drive plate 801. With a clamp 811thus disposed, its lever portion 815 is inclined slightly upwardly andaway from the pivot shaft 813.

As will be appreciated, the alignment of the plates 501 and 801 whichenables the clamps 811 to hold them securely together is insured by thecooperation of the projection 502 with the aperture 802.

A clamp releasing mechanism is carried by the plate 705 of the trarnemeans 701. This clamp releasing means is adapted to engage the leverportions 815 of the clamps 811 so as to lrelease the clamps from theplate 501 and allow the plate 501 to be disengaged from Ithe drive plate801.

This clamp releasing means includes a ring 817 which is carried by theplate 705 of the frame means 701 above the clamp lever portions 815 asshown in FIGURE 5. Ring 817 is supported on plate 705 by a plurality ofrod Iand spring assemblies symmetrically disposed about the ring 817. Inthe preferred embodiment, three such assemblies may be provided, eachincluding a rod 818 which is threadably engaged to the ring 817 andprojects upwardly through a plate aperture 705a and has an enlargedupper end which may be formed by a washer and nut assembly 819. Aconventional coil spring 820 extends between the assembly 819 and thetop of the plate '705 and encircles the -rod 818. Each spring 820 is acompression type spring and tends to urge its associated rod 818upwardly so as to hold the ring 817 against the underside of the plate705 and thus out of contact with the clamp lever portions 815.

The lowering or depression of the rings 817 into clamp releasingengagement with the clamp lever portions 815 is accomplished by aplurality of pressurized iluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblieswhich also are symmetrically disposed about the ring 817 and carried bythe plate 705. In the preferred embodiment, three such assemblies may beprovided. Each such assembly may include a cylinder defining housing 821and may contain a piston 822 having a piston rod 823 extending through aplate aperture 705b into threaded engagement with the ring 817. Bysupplying pressurized fluid through a conventional conduit 824 under theinuence of conventional control means, not shown, the pistons 822 may besimultaneously depressed or moved downwardly so as to in turn move thering 817 downwa-rdly into clamp-releasing engagement with the clamplever portions 815. As will be appreciated, when the ring 817 engagesthe clamp lever 815, the C-shaped clamp portions 814 are pivotedgenerally upwardly and outwardly out of engagement with the top plate501.

As illustrated, engagement and disengagement of the clamp portions 814with the underside of the top plate 501 may be facilitated by a beveled,lower edge 501a of plate 501 as shown in FIGURE 5.

As schematically shown in FIGURE l and shown in further detail in FIGURE4, iluid discharging means 9 and removed material receiving means 10comprises a unitary or composite assembly which is movable into and outof axial alignment with an elevated article supporting holding means 5.

Fluid discharging means 9 of this assembly includes rst tubular conduitmeans 901 having a generally vertical axis and second tubular conduitmeans 902 which also has a generally vertical axis. As illustrated inFIGURE 7, second conduit means 902 is mounted coaxially within and isspaced from rst conduit means 901 so as to define one fluid flow path903 within the second conduit means 902 and another, ilow path 904 whichis of an annular character and lies between the conduit means 901 and902.

A manifold-like spray head 905 sealingly engages the upper ends 901a and902a of the conduit means 901 and 902 respectively. As shown in FIGURE8, the upper end 901a of rst conduit means 901 threadably and sealinglyengages an internally threaded portion 905:1 of manifold 905. The upperend 902a of second conduit means 902 is provided with sealing means suchas conventional O-rings 906. Upper end 902a of conduit means 902 istelescopingly received within a bore-like portion 905b of manifold 905,with the seal rings 906 sealingly interconnecting the conduit end '2awith the bore 905b. As illustrated, a body portion 905C of manifold 905prevents luid communication between the upper ends 901a and 902a of theconduits 901 and 902 respectively.

A plurality of jet dein-ing nozzles 907 are carried by the -spray heador manifold 905 and communicate with the upper end of the conduit 901 soas to be in fluid communication with the passage 904. Three such nozzles907, for example, may be provided with each nozzle 907 having an axisinclined generally downwardly as shown in FIGURE 8, i.e. inclined at anangle of inclination measured downwardly from a vertical axis andexceeding 90.

A second plurality of nozzles 908 are carried by the manifold 90S in uidcommunication with the upper end 902a of the inner conduit 902, so as tocommunicate with the central flow passage 903. For example, three suchnozzles 908 may be provided Which are symmetrically disposed about thecommon longitudinal axes of the conduit means 901 and 902. Each suchnozzle 908 is inclined downwardly away from a vertical axis at an langlenot exceeding about 90. While the nozzles 908 may be inclined so as todirect jets horizontally, in the arrangement shown in FIGURE 8, thenozzles 908 are inclined so as to direct jets outwardly and somewhatupwardly.

Manifold 905 may also be provided with a plurality of nozzles 909 whichare symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal and Vertical axis ofthe conduits 901 and 902, which nozzles 909 also communicate with thepassage 903. As shown, the nozzles 909 are incl-ined at an anglemeasured downwardly from a vertical axis so as to direct jets upwardlyabove the jets defined by the nozzles 908, `i.e. the angle ofinclination of the jets 909 measured downwardly from the vertical axisis less than the angle of inclination of the jets 908 measureddownwardly from the same axis.

As schematically shown in FIGURE 7, first conduit means 901 may bemounted in a T-tting 910 which is connected through conventionalcouplings 'andV a conventional valve 911 to a conduit 912 adapted tosupply pressurized liquid such as water from a conventional source, notshown.

Second conduit means 902 passes through T-tting 910 and is connectedwith 1a conduit section 913. This latter conduit section communicatesthrough -another T-tting 914 with a conventional valve 915. Fitting 914rnay be supported on a base 916 so as to close its lower end. As

illustrated, valve 915 is connected by conventional couA 9 from thesupply conduit 912 to the nozzles 908 and 909 may be selectivelycontrolled by the valve 915. With this arrangement, fluid flow throughthe nozzles 907 may be varied in intensity or interrupted independentofthe flow through the nozzles 908 and 909. Similarly, fiow through thenozzles 908 and 909 may be varied or interrupted independent of the flowthrough the nozzles 907.

The removed material receiving means includes a generally cylindricalhousing 1001 which has an open upper end 100hz and a downwardlyconverging base 1002 which terminates at its lower end in a flexible,conventional conduit 1003. Conduit 901 intersects base 1002 in sealedrelation therewith as schematically shown.

As will be apparent from the drawings, cylindrical housing 1001encircles conduit means 901 and 902 in generally concentric relationshipwith. these conduit means. As shown in FIGURE 7, the upper end 1001a ofcylindrical housing 1001 extends somewhat above the jet defining sprayhead 905 and is radially spaced from this sprayhead and the portions ofthe conduit means 901 which projects above the base 1002.

Cylindrical housing 1001 may be provided with a hinged, doorlike member1004 to provide convenient access to the interior of the housing 1001.As schematically shown, member 1004 may be provided with transparentwindow means 1005.

Three symmetrically arranged, leg-like components 1006 support thecylindrical housing .1001 above a horizontally slidable base 1007 andconnect the housing 1001 to this base.

As will be apparent, the lateral width of platform 1007 will be such asto enable the platform to move horizontally between the tower pivotmounts 303 and 304 when the housing 1001 is moved toward the tower means2 so as to bring the fluid discharging means into axial alignment with arocket motor 6. When the housing 1001 is moved away from the tower means2, as shown schematically in FIGURE l, the base 1007 may provide aworking platform to facilitate the loading of a rocket motor 6 on thearticle holding means 5.

Base 1007 may be supported on rail means carried by the skid means 1 forhorizontal sliding movement into and out of axial alignment with theelevated holding means 5.

As schematically shown in FIGURE 4, base 1007 may be supported onrail-like upper surfaces of the skid channels 101 an-d 102. A block-likebase portion 1008 may project downwardly from the lower surface of thebase 1007 into the space between the rail defining channels 101 andI102. Base portion 1008 :may engage opposing side faces of these channelmembers so as to stabilize and guide the base 1007 through its slidingmovement along the channel members 101 and 102.

A conventional, pressurized fiuid .actuated piston and cylinder assemblyis employed for moving the removed material receiving means 10 and thefiuid discharging means 9 horizontally along the rail defining skidmeans 1. This assembly, as schematically shown in FIGURE 4, includes acylinder 1009 which is mounted on a bracket 1010. This `bracket issecured between the skid channels 101 and 102 in a conventional fashion.Piston means contained within the cylinder 1009 includes a piston rod1011. This rod projects from the cylinder 1009 and engages, at its outerfree end, a bracket .1012 which is connected to guide block 1008 asschematically shown. As will be appreciated, by selectively supplyingpressurized uid to the cylinder 1009 from a conventional source, notshown, and under the control of conventional pressurized fiuid controlmeans, also not shown, the fluid discharging means 9 and removedmaterial receiving means 10 may be moved horizontally in unison into andout of axial alignment with the elevated article holding means 5.

A filter assembly 1013 is associated with the removed material receivingmeans 10 and is connected with the housing means 1001 by the flexibleconduit 1003. As

10 Will be appreciated, this filter assembly .1013 may remain stationarywhile the housing means 1001 is moved, by virtue of the fexible natureof the interconnecting conduit 1003.

As schematically shown in FIGURES 4 and 9, filter assembly 1013 includesa coarse filtering assembly comprising alternately oper-able, first andsecond filter sections 1014 Vand 1015 respectively. This coarsefiltering assembly includes a common housing 1016 and an upper plate1017 which defines a continuation of the conduit means 1003 and supportstwo filter baskets 1018 and 1019 in first and second filter sections1014 and .1015 respectively. A fiow diverting plate 1020, mounted on aconventional pivot mount 1021, is horizontally pivotable so as to beable to selectively seal off either the filter 1019 or the filter 1018from the flow of cuttings and liquid discharging from the conduit 1003.With the ow diverting plate 1020 disposed as shown in FIGURE 9, the iiowof cuttings and liquid from the conduit 1003 passes through the filtersection 1018. When the filter 1018 is filled to capacity, the flowdiventing plate may be moved counterclockwise, as shown in FIGURE 9, so.as to seal off the filter 1018 and divert the flow of cuttings andliquid to the other filter section 1019. The filter 1018 may then beremoved and be cleaned while liquid and cuttings are passing through thefilter section 1019.

A conduit 1022 extends from the base of the housing 1016 to aconventional fluid pump .1023 which serves to pump the coarse filteredflow of cuttings and liquid through a conduit string 1024 to a finefilter assembly 1025. As schematically illustrated, fine filter assembly1025 includes a filter basket 1026 which is supported within a housing1027. Housing 1027 may be provided with a conventional, outlet definingconduit 1028 for the discharge of filtered liquid.

As shown schematically in FIGURE 4, filter assembly 1013 may besupported upon skid means 1029 to facilitate the positioning of theassembly, as desired, in relation to the skid means 1.

Mode of operation With the structural details of the apparatus havingbeen described, its mode of operation may now be delineated.

As schematically shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, it may be desirable tosupport the apparatus above the ground for a cleaning operation. Wherethis is desirable, the skid channels 101 and 102 may be conventionallysupported upon transverse timbers such as the schematically showntimbers X and Y.

The apparatus, upon its arrival at an operations site, will be disposedwith the tower means 2 folded toward the skid means 1, i.e. the towerframing member 204 will be cradled on the cradle means 109. In order toerect the tower means 2, the piston rods 207 are simultaneously extendedso as to pivot the tower means 2 clockwise as shown in FIG. 1. After thetower means has been erected so as to extend generally verticallyupright, the struts 403, 404, 410 and 411 are connected to the towerframing components 203 'and 204 so as to secure the tower means 2 in itsupright position.

In p-reparation f-or rocket motor case loading, the piston rod 213 will-be in a retracted position so as to support the frame 701 at a lowelevation as shown in FIGURE 1. If not previously accomplished, theclamping ring 817 will be depressed so as to move the clamps 811 out ofclamping engagement with the plate S01 so that the holding means 5 maybe lowered on the chain 710. The power winch 708 is then operated so asto lower the freed holding means 5 into the position generally shown inFIGURE 1 where it is disposed in close proximity to the base 1007. Theovercenter clamps 513 and 514 may be freed so as to aillow the clampportions 505 and 506 to be opened to receive a rocket motor 6. With therocket motor case 6 disposed between the opened clamp portions 505 and506, these clamp portions may be closed about the rocket motor peripheryso that the clamp liners 507 and 508 are pressed tightly against thisperiphery. Closing of the overcenter latches 513 and 514 constricts theclamp portion liners 507 and 508 about the rocket motor case peripheriesso that the rocket motor case is firmly supported by the holding meanswith its open end 602 facing downwardly.

FIGURE l schematically illustrates the apparatus after a rocket motor 6has been connected to the holding means 5. As 4there shown, the pistonrod 1011 is extended to the right so as to displace the materialreceiving means and fluid discharging means 9 from the vicinity of thetower means 2..

With the rocket motor 6 gripped lby the holding means 5, the winch 708may be again operated so as to raise the chain 710 and move the plate501 upwardly into engagement with the drive plate y801. In movingupwardly, the top plate projection 502 will enter the drive plateaperture 802 so as to cammingly align these two plates. As will `beappreciated, while the plate 501 is being moved into engagement with thedrive plate 801, the clamp releasing ring 817 will be depresseddownwardly so as to hold the clamp C-shaped portions 814 out of thetravel path of the converging plate 501. When the plate 501 has beenbrought into function clutching engagement with the drive plate 801, theclamp releasing ring 817 may be retracted upwardly by the springs 820 asa result of the interrupting of the supply of fluid to the cylinders821. This will allow the springs 816` to pivot the clamps 811 to theirclamping position so that the C- shaped clamp portions 814 engage theunderside of the plate 501 and hold it securely against the drive plate801. As a safety measure, the winch '708 may be employed as anadditional mechanism for securing holding means 5 against drive plate801.

After effecting the clutched interengagement of the plates 501 and 801,the piston rod 213 may be extended upwardly so as to raise the framemeans 701. Frame means 701 will be positioned at such an elevation as toinsure that the housing means 1001 may be moved horizontally toward thetower means 2 into axial alignment with and beneath the rocket motorcase 6 supported by the holding means 5. The axial alignment of thehousing means 1001 with the elevated rocket motor 6 is schematicallyshown in FIGURE 2.

Under the influence of conventional control mechanisms, the piston rod213 may be moved downwardly at a controlled rate so as to lower theframe means 701 and the holding means 5 which supports the rocket motorcase 6. With the rocket case 6 moving downwardly, the stationary sprayhead 905 will enter the central passage 605 of the rocket motor case 6.Fluid jets discharged from the spray heads 905 will impinge upon thematerial 604 contained within the rocket motor case and cut channelsthrough this material extending to the cylindrical wall 601.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a rocket motor case being lowered into the sprayshielding housing 1001. As shown in FIGURE 7, as the spray defining head905 enters the central passage 605, the propellant char-ge 604 and thecylindrical rocket case wall 601 move into the annular space between thespray head 605 and the housing 1001.

With the rocket case rotating mechanism 8 being functionally independentof the rocket case lowering mechanism 7, the rocket motor case 6 may lbemanipulated in a variety of ways to facilitate the most effectivejetting pattern to cause the removal of propellant material 604.

While the rocket case 6 is being lowered, the motor 810 may be actuatedby conventional control means to cause c-oncurrent rotation of the driveplate 80-1 at a controlled rate and thus cause the rotation of theholding means 5 and the rocket motor 6. Such combined downward androtary movement will cause jets issuing from the spray head 905 to cut agenerally spiral pattern of cuttings away from the charge 604.

In certain inst-ances it may be desirable to form wedge shaped segmentsor cuttings tending more positively toward a generally uniform cuttingsize. This may be accomplished, for example, by initially lowering therocket motor 6 with jets issuing from the nozzles 908 with no rotarymovement being imparted to the rocket motor. After the rocket case 6 hasbeen lowered a predetermined extent, the lowering of the rocket case maybe interrupted and the rocket case rotated so as to position the nozzles908 midway between their formerly occupied positions. The non-rotatingrocket case may then be raised with jets issuing from the nozzles 908 soas to form vertically and radially extending channels 607 disposedmidway between the vertically and radially extending channels 607 formedwhile the rocket case was being lowered. The rocket ease may then berelowered and rotated so that the jets issuing from the nozzles 908 cutchannels extending to the wall 601 and transversely intersecting thepreviously cut, vertical channels 607. This technique is particularlyuseful as a means for avoiding the forming of undesirably long spiralcuttings.

If the rocket case 6 is simultaneously lowered and rotated, the jetsissuing `from the nozzles 908 will cut a .spiral pattern intersectingthe previously formed, radially extending vertical channel 607. Therewill thus be formed a spiral-like channel pattern which willtransversely intersect the vertical and radial channels 607 so as toform generally wedge-shaped cuttings 608 of propellant material.

Alternatively, after the vertical and radially extending channels 607have lbeen formed, the propellant motor case may be lowered to aparticular degree and then held stationary at a particular elevation androtated. With this form of rocket case manipulation, jets issuing fromthe nozzles 908 will form a substantially continuous, generally annularchannel pattern through the material 604 and will form generally wedgeshaped cuttings 608.

As will be appreciated, the propellant charge 604 may be bonded to theinner wall of the cylindrical casing 601. In practice, it has been foundthat the jets issuing from the nozzles of the spray head 905, inimpinging upon the inner wall of the casing 601, will be deflectedlaterally so as to effectively cut between the charge 604 and the casing601 and free the cuttings from the rocket case so that they may fall bygravity onto the housing base 1002 and be flushed by liquid dischargingfrom the spray head into the flexible conduit 1003. This cutting actionmay be facilitated `by the entrainment of propellant material in the jetstreams as they cut through the rliular portion of the charge 604 enroute to the wall As will be apparent, internal rocket case structure,such as the ring 606, will impede the flow of spray nozzles 908 so as toprevent the removal of material in niches above the ring 606 adjacentthe junction of these rings with the motor case Wall 601. As illustratedin FlG- URE 7, material may be removed from this zone by initiating theflow of jets from the nozzles 907 so that they are directed downwardlyand outwardly and generally directly into this partially concealed area.

As will also be apparent, the downwardly directed `force of jets issuingfrom the nozzles 007 may be employed to facilitate the removal ofpropellant Aresidue not initially fully removed by the jets 908. Forexample, after the jets from the nozzles 908 have made an initialmaterial removal while a rocket case 6 is being lowered, the case may beraised and pressurized fluid then directed from the nozzles 907 so as tocut away residual propellant still adhereing to the rocket motor casewall 601.

At the upper end 603 of the rocket motor, the top of the spray head 905may abut the top -of the rocket motor case so as to prevent the jetsissuing from the nozzles 908 from completing the removal of material inthe upper end of the rocket motor case 6. In this zone, the more 13upwardly inclined jets issuing `from the nozzles 909 function toeffectively remove propellant material above the spray head 905 whichcould not otherwise be efficiently removed.

As will be apparent, jets may be `issued from nozzles ,908 and 909 withthere being no jets issued from the nozzles 907 and alternatively jetsmay be issued from the nozzles 907 with there being no flow from thejets 908 and 909. In Ithis manner, the flow of jetting fluid isconserved and minimized, consistent with the forming of jets having anoptimum material removing action.

As will be apparent, the desired pattern of jets issuing from the sprayhead 905 may be obtained by appropriate manipulation of the valves 911and 915.

It is contemplated that water pressurized to as high as 20,000 poundsper square inch may .be supplied to the discharging means 9. Ordinarily,however, the operating range of water pressure would extend from about1,000 pounds per square inch to about 15,000 pounds per square inch. Aswill be appreciated, the length and diameter of the jet defining nozzlesmay vary depending upon the physical proper-ties of the jetting liquidbeing utilized and the overall dimensional characteristics of theapparatus and the articles being treated.

As will be appreciated, pressurized fluids for operating the variousmotors and pistons of the apparatus may be supplied from conventionalsources and controlled by conventional fluid flow control systems. Thematerial removing liquid, which may comprise merely water, may bepressurized and supplied by conventional pump systems. Theseconventional mechanisms, if desired, may be truck or skid mountedconsistent with the generally portable nature of the apparatus.

At the conclusion of a propellant removal operation, it may be desirableto move the apparatus to a new operation site. This may be readilyaccomplished by securing the holding means 5, as `for example, againstthe drive plate 801, and by lowering the tower means 2so that the towercross bracing member 204 is cradled on the cradle means 109. Theapparatus may t-hen be easily transported or moved to a new site.

Advantages and scope of invention In describing the structure and modeof operation of a preferred embodiment of the propellant removingapparatus, several advantages of the invention have been dernonstrated.

The combination of the skid mount and hinged tower ,structurecontributes to the ease with which the apparatus may be handled in aportable fashion and moved between operation sites.

The stationary naturevof the uid discharging means enables cleaningliquids to be employed under unusually high pressures. The stationarynozzle jetting arrangement, with the gravity induced removal ofcuttings, insures that these cuttings do not impede subsequent jettingor material removing operations.

The movable nature of the fluid discharging means and the removedmaterial receiving means facilitates the loading of an article fromwhich material is to be removed. The unique combination of thesecomponents provides an easily positionable assembly which rnay bedisposed as required ffor a material removing operation and whicheffectively shields spray generated during this operation.

The selectively variable pattern of jets issuing from the spray headconserves on cleaning fluid and enables jets to be directed so as toaccomplish the most eilicient material removing action. As will beappreciated, with the nozzle and conduit means arrangement shown, thedirection of cutting jets may be changed without interrupting thecleaning operation.

The technique of irst forming radially extending vertical channels andthen cutting transversely of these channels through material to beremoved, provides a particularly effective and reliable system forforming cuttings of a predictable and generally uniform size.

The differently oriented nozzles of the spray head in combination withthe individualized control of iluid to these nozzles, enables thejetting pattern to .be changed as required to removed material fromotherwise inaccessible portions of article interiors.

The structural and individually operable characteristics of theelevating means 7 and rotary drive means 8 affords maximum operationreliability in combination with a wide range of variations in movementswhich may be imparted to the article from which material is to beremoved. This drive arrangement particularly facilitates the impartingof controlled movements to the rocket motor case 6 so that the jettingassembly tends to form cuttings of a generally uniform size.

The removed material receiving means provides an effective and containedsystem for collecting cuttings. This system is continuously operableeven though a portion of the ltering system included in this portion ofthe apparatus becomes temporarily clogged with cuttings.

The ability of the article holding means to be lowered from theelevating mechanism facilitates article loading and avoids the necessityof imparting excessive elevating movement to the elevating means 7during an article loading operation. This arrangement also facilitatesthe handling of heavy articles such as rocket motor cases.

The characteristics of the holding means 5 are such as to enable thisportion of the apparatus to be conveniently accommodated to a variety ofarticle sizes and configurations and to be easily and rapidly secured toarticles.

In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferredapparatus and method embodiments. However, those skilled in the materialremoving art and familiar with the disclosure of this invention may wellrecognize additions, deletions, substitutions, or other modificationswith reference to the preferred embodiments which would fall within thepurview of the overall invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A port-able apparatus for removing material from the interior of openended articles, said apparatus comprising:

skid means;

tower means;

pivot means connecting said tower means with said skid means wherebysaid tower means may be pivoted toward said skid means;

tower securing means adapted to releasably secure said tower means in agenerally upright position; holding means for supporting an article withan open end thereof facing downwardly;

elevating means carried iby said tower means for raising and loweringsaid holding means along a generally vertical and stationary axis;

drive means for rotating said holding means about a generally verticalaxis; and

fluid discharging means adapted to remain stationary while entering theopen end of an arti-cle whichI is being lowered and direct fluid jets`against material to be removed from said article.

2. An apparatus as described in clai-m 1 wherein said holding meanscomprises:

top plate means;

support plate means extending generally downwardly from said topplatemeans;

a first, arcuate clamp portion having a resilient, article peripheryengaging liner;

a second, arcuate clamp portion having a resilient, article engagingliner;

connecting means securing one of said clamp portions to said supportplate; and

latching means for securing sai-d rst and second clamp portions inclamping engagement about an article.

'tower means includes:

track means supporting said frame means for vertical movementtherealong;

first, cylinder housed, piston means for raising said tower means to itsgenerally upright position; and

second, cylinder housed, piston means for causing said frame mean-s tomove along said track means.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein Said drive meansinclu-des:

a drive plate;

ring gear means connected with said drive plate;

frame means;

mounting means supporting said drive plate and ring gear means on saidframe means for rotation about a vertical axis;

drive gear means meshingly engaging said ring gear means;

motor means for rotating said drive gear means so as to cause rotationof said drive plate about a vertical axis;

clamping means adapted to releasably secure said holding means to saiddrive plate, said clamping means being carried by and movable with saiddrive plate; and

cla-mp releasing means carried by said frame means and adapted to engagesaid clamping means.

6. An apparatus as -described in claim wherein said clamping meanscomprises a plurality of clamps,

a pivot mounting for each clamp having a pivot axis generallyperpendicular to a radius extending from the axis of rotation of saiddrive plate,

each of said clamps having a generally C-shaped portion projectinggenerally outwardly from said drive plate and an operating lever portionprojecting generally toward the axis of rotation of said drive plate,and

spring means engaging each clamp so as to urge the C-shaped portionthereof to pivot around an edge portion of said drive plate and engagesaid holding mean-s so Vas to urge said holding means into engage-meansIwith the underside of said drive plate;

wherein said clamp releasing means comprises a ring carried by saidframe means above said clamp lever portions,

spring means adapted to urge said ring upwardly away from said clamplever portions, and

cylinder housed piston means adapted to urge said ring into engagementwith all of the clamp lever portions so as to pivot the clamps abouttheir respective pivot yaxes and move the generally C-shaped clampportions out of engagement with said holding means;

wherein said -drive plate is centrally apertured;

wherein said holding means includes an upwardly converging, centralprojection adapted to enter the central aperture of said drive plate andalign said holding means relative to said drive plate; and

wherein said elevating means is connected to said central projection ofsaid holding means.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said fluid` dischargingmeans includes:

rst nozzle means adapted to direct fluid jets generally outwardly anddownwardly;

second nozzle means adapted to direct fiuid jets generally outwardly andat an angle of inclination measured downwardly from a vertical axis notexceeding about ninety degrees; and

valve means for selectively controlling iiuid ow through said first andsecond nozzle means.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said fluid dischargingmeans includes:

first tubular conduit means having a generally vertical axis;

second tubular conduit means having a generally vertical axis andmounted within and spaced from said rst conduit means so as to defineone fluid flow path within said second conduit means and another iluidflow path between said iirst and second conduit means;

manifold means sealingly engaging upper, Open ends of said lirst andsecond conduit means;

barrier means within said manifold means preventing fluid communicatingbetween the upper, open ends of said rst and second conduit means;

said upper open end of said first conduit means communicating with saidfirst nozzle means; and

said upper open end of said second conduit means communicating with saidsecond nozzle means.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 1 and further including removedmaterial receiving means comprising:

cylindrical housing means encircling and radially spaced from at leastthe upper portion of said fluid discharging means;

removed material conduit means extending from said housing; and

filtering means including alternately operable, first and second filtersections, and

ilow diverting means for selectively directing flow from said removedmaterial conduit means through said first or said second liltersections.

10. Anf'apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said removed materialreceiving means additionally includes:

rail -means supporting said housing means for generally horizontalmovement into and out of axial alignment with said holding means;iand

cylinder housed, piston means for moving said housing means along saidrail means.

11. A portable apparatus .for removing material from the interior ofopen ended articles, said apparatus comprising:

skid means;

tower means;

pivot means connecting said tower means with said skid means wherebysaid tower means may be pivoted toward said skid means; t tower securingmeans adapted to releasably secure said tower means in a generallyupright position; holding means for supporting an article with an openend thereof lfacing downwardly, said holding means including top platemeans, support plate means extending generally downwardly from said topplate means, a first, arcuate clamp portion having a resi-lient,

arti-cle periphery engaging liner, a second, arcuate clamp portionhaving a resilient,

article engaging liner, connecting means securing one of said clampportions to said support plate, .and latching means for securing saidfirst and second clamp portions in clamping engagement about an article;elevating means carried by said tower means for raising and loweringsaid holding means along a generally vertical and stationary axis, saidelevating means including vertically movable frame means carried by saidtower means,

1 7 hoisting means mounted on said frame means, motor means Iforoperating said reel means, and swivel joint means connecting saidhoisting means with said top plate means `whereby said holding means mayrotate about a vertical axis relative to said frame means; drive meansfor rotating said holding means about a generally vertical axis, :saiddrive means including a drive plate, ring gear means connected with saiddrive plate, frame means, mounting means supporting drive plate and ringgear means on said frame means for rotation about a vertical axis, drivegear means meshingly engaging said ring gear means, motor means forrotating said drive gear means so as to cause rotation of said driveplate about a vertical axis, clamping means adapted to releasably securesaid top plate means of said means in clutching engagement with saiddrive plate, said clamping means being carried by and movable with saiddrive plate, and clamp releasing means carried by said frame means andadapted to engage said clamping means; fluid discharging means adaptedto remain stationary while entering the open end of an article which isbeing lowered and direct fluid jets against material to be removed fromsaid argcle, said fluid discharg ing means including first nozzle meansadapted to `direct fluid jets generally outwardly and downwardly,

second nozzle means adapted to direct fluid jets generally outwardly andupwardly, and Valve means =for selectively controlling fluid ow throughsaid first and second nozzle means; and removed material receiving meansincluding cylindrical housing means encircling and radially spaced fromat least the upper portion of said iluid discharging means, removedmaterial conduit means extending from said housing, and ltering meansinclud-ing alternately operable, first and second lter sections, andflow diverting means for selectively directing flow from said removedmaterial conduit means through said rst or said second lter sections.

References Cited hy the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,740,052 12/1929 Watson 134-110 2,260,518 10/1941 Hamilton et al. 134-110 2,710,8196/1955 Weber et al. 134-23 3,009,839 11/1961 Phillips 134-23 FOREIGNPATENTS 545,300 3/1956 Belgium. 724,084 2/ 1955 Great Britain.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, AssistantExaminer.

1. A PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE INTERIOR OF OPENENDED ARTICLES, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: SKID MEANS; TOWER MEANS;PIVOT MEANS CONNECTING SAID TOWER MEANS WITH SAID SKID MEANS WHEREBYSAID TOWER MEANS MAY BE PIVOTED TOWARD SAID SKID MEANS; TOWER SECURINGMEANS ADAPTED TO RELEASABLY SECURE SAID TOWER MEANS IN A GENERALLYUPRIGHT POSITION; HOLDING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AN ARTICLE WITH AN OPENEND THEREOF FACING DOWNWARDLY; ELEVATING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID TOWERMEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID HOLDING MEANS ALONG A GENERALLYVERTICAL AND STATIONARY AXIS; DRIVE MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID HOLDINGMEANS ABOUT A GENERALLY VERTICAL AXIS; AND FLUID DISCHARGING MEANSADAPTED TO REMAIN STATIONARY WHILE ENTERING THE OPEN END OF AN ARTCLEWHICH IS BEING LOWERED AND DIRECT FLUID JETS AGAINST MATERIAL TO BEREMOVED FROM SAID ARTICLE.